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Throw In
Heather Converse with a throw-in for Woodstock Academy Sept. 8. Photo by Marc Allard
The Woodstock Academy Centaurs took 15 of the last 17 shots on goal Sept. 8 in their season opener against Bacon Academy.
Unfortunately, nothing found the back of the net and the Centaurs and Bobcats settled for a 0-0, double overtime, scoreless tie at the Bentley Athletic Complex.
“Similar start to previous seasons,” said Woodstock Academy coach Dennis Snelling. “We were strong, possessed the ball well, and didn’t give up any goals. I was happy with the defense. We just need to figure out how to get the offense to connect and I’m sure we will.”
Snelling added that the recent spate of hot, humid weather which limited practice was not an issue in the season opener which was played under cloudy skies with temperatures barely nudging 70 degrees.
“Everyone was in the same boat and I thought we were a little bit ahead of teams with the amount of time we’ve actually had to practice,” Snelling said.
The Centaurs did take part in a preseason jamboree and scrimmaged E.O. Smith prior to the Sept. 8 opener.
Bacon Academy took the majority of their shots, six, in the first half, but most were from long distance. “Most were set plays from far out. If we’re going to give up shots from 30 yards out, that’s fine,” Snelling said.
The Bobcats had only one such opportunity in the second half, a free kick that sailed over the top of the net minded by Irene Askitis who had to make only four saves all match.
The Centaurs couldn’t cash in some much closer chances. Ivy Gelhaus was foiled twice on breaks in the second half.
She took the ball away from Bacon keeper Sammi Ciaglo early in the half, only to see her shot blocked by Bacon fullback Sarah Valardo.
Another Gelhaus break was foiled by Ciaglo who came out of the net to kick it away from the Woodstock Academy senior.
Those were two of the five shots taken by Gelhaus.
“We need to get more people involved in the offense because Ivy is just going to get double-teamed all year,” Snelling said.
Snelling also didn’t like the pace the game was played at. He wanted to see his Centaurs push the ball, play fast and go through the midfield.
Instead, the Centaurs were pretty predictable. “We were just going from defense to Ivy, over and over, and they were winning the balls,” Snelling said.
Linda St. Laurent had three attempts for the Centaurs. The Bobcats didn’t make it easy for the hosts to score.
They did hang back in a defensive posture, sending only one player forward and keeping nine players back in their own half.
“I expected that,” Snelling said. “They have been defensive oriented since (Bacon Academy coach) Lee (Elliott) took over last year. It’s probably a pretty good way to do it if you think you are rebuilding. Go for the ties and try to be efficient.”
The lessons learned by Snelling is that the team will have to work on getting players up the field quicker and get away from the long, defense-to-offense, game.
“We start with five in the midfield and we weren’t stringing passes together. We need to figure out how to play as a team with the ball and be confident that we’re doing the right things,” Snelling said.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy
.